October 2008 Notable Toys — Tween

ModelWorks makes artfully crafted personalized action figures in just 10 days. ModelWorks Mini-Me separates itself from other companies by making hobby-grade models. The difference lies in the details. “We don’t just sculpt a face, we capture an expression," Graeme Warring, president of ModelWorks and creator of the Mini-Me, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 20, 2007.

This R/C model features a 9" wingspan and excellent flight performance, flight duration and overall durability. The Interceptor's twin motors supply so much thrust that it will do a complete loop with no problem. With the twin-stick transmitter, the operators has complete control over climbing, diving and left/right turning. The Interceptor utilizes the best and latest Lithium Polymer rechargeable battery technology for power and long flights. The plane recharges directly from the built-in charger in the transmitter for the convenience of being able to charge it anywhere, anytime. The plane features "unbreakable new material," VP David Deans of Megatech International told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2008.

These 12" plush tooth fairy dolls are shaped as little fairies and come in boy and girl styles. The dolls hold a child's tooth in their shiny pouch, waiting for the tooth fairy to come. Launch date: September 6, 2008.

The peace sign is back in fashion. Girls can show off their peaceful side and inner fashionista with the Peace and Love Jewelry collection by Fashion Angels. The ring-shaped pendants come etched with the words “Peace & Love” and are embellished with Austrian crystals. They are adjustable, come packaged in a decorative gift box, and come in a silver-plated or antique-silver finish, with rainbow or crystal gems. Launch date: July 2008.

Love - Hope - Peace - Believe. Fashion Angels Enterprises' Faith Inspired jewelry collection includes necklaces with cross-shaped pendants and circle-shaped pendants with a cross in the center. The necklaces are embellished with Austrian crystals for just the right amount of glam, and etched with inspirational words. They come in a sterling-silver-plated and antique-silver finish in a decorative gift box. "There is a wide variety of finishes and word combinations for everyone's taste," noted Sarah Koth, PR coordinator for Fashion Angels Enterprises. Launch date: July 2008.

Wishing on stars is a thing of the past with the Wishes 2 Wear line from Fashion Angels Enterprises. Girls can write their wish on paper and slide it inside the pendant to wear close to the heart. The pendants have the sides — one with glam Austrian crystals and two with inspirational sayings such as "Peace - Live in Peace." The necklaces come with a chain and leather cord, with six different messages in antique brass or antique silver finish.

Like all of the collectable Bella Sara trading cards, Baby Bella cards can also be brought to life online in Bella Sara’s virtual playground for kids. Adding babies to the Bella Sara family follows on the hooves of the June launch of the Bella Sara Magical Friends card set, in which more than 70 whimsical, lifelong companions were introduced and paired with Bella Sara horses. "Babies make our Bella Sara families complete and give our young fans a much broader game experience," said Peter D. Adkison, CEO of Hidden City Games, a leader in online gaming. Launch date: October 7, 2008.

This combo garden and playset gives girls the opportunity to grow a Lilly Bloom and Jasmine Fern while also utilizing the main flower as an enchanting doll house. The set comes with two dolls, two seed packets and 20 accessories.

This origami kit comes with 16 sheets of metallic gold paper and 16 sheets of red- and gold-toned, multicolor paper. When completed, the star has 20 points and measures approximately 6" in diameter.

Designed to fit all sizes, this watch is available in teal, orange, purple, pink and yellow designs. It has a digital time display and comes with batteries that will last for more than a year.

This kit includes ingredients to make flavored lip balm that has an SPF of 15.

After the potion dice are rolled, it is the goal of the two to four players/apprentices to be the first to create the potion as instructed. They must be careful, though, as some apprentices may steal ingredients, change the recipe altogether or even spill the cauldron. The game comes with 52 cards, four dice, 20 token, a token bag and a cauldron. Launch date: 2008.

Featuring the original soundtrack from the movie "Barbie & The Diamond Castle," this 11-track album includes a song called "Connected," performed by Katharine McPhee. There are two bonus tracks, "I Need to Know," from "Barbie as The Island Princess," and "Shine," from "Barbie in The 12 Dancing Princesses."

Girls who-just-wanna-have-fun will enjoy the tween-themed 6.75" x 9" Text Message Insulated Lunch Box. It features "LOL" zip pull and a 3-dimensional flower. The lunch box includes a nylon handle and shoulder strap. Launch date: 2008.

This 10.25” x 10” Laugh Out Loud paper frame has dimensional flower pop ups and a vibrant, popping pattern. Launch date: 2008.

The PiNKiTUDE brand was developed through partnership with Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and MGM's Pink Panther. A portion of proceeds from the line will go to the Susan G. Komen foundation. Launch date: August 2008.

Featuring bright, fun colors and a trendy charm, this combo is from the Jewels Girls Love to Wear collection. MSRP: Choker: $14.00; Bracelet: $10.00. Launch date: 2008.

From the Jewels Girls Love to Wear Collection, this jewelry features bright colors while reinforcing eco-friendliness. MSRP: Choker: $14.00; Bracelet: $10.00. Launch date: 2008.

This fantasy story is about 12-year old Sophie’s adventures during her summer vacation while visiting her archeologist grandparents in Greece. They are in the middle of an exciting dig, resurrecting an ancient goddess temple. When she meets a new friend, Tena, the two girls find themselves in trouble as they venture into explorations of their own. The experiences and challenges Sophie and Tena go through teach them the importance of self-love. This hardcover adventure book contains 192 pages, 10 full-color illustrations, a parent workbook and guide. "This book is geared for women and girls," said Bridgette Nofer, Executive Administrator, Nea Matia Inc. Home of SophiaDolls. Launch date: 7/21/2008.

This book allows girls to create their own poseable fairy dolls that feature petal dresses and flowing floss hair. Supplies to make 12 posey pixies are included, and the book is written by Rachel Haab.
- “Girls love Klutz; [it] sells constantly,” Jeanne McCullough, owner of Children’s Store Inc. in Boise, Idaho, told TDmonthly.  
- “Klutz is No. 1 by far,” said Ron Banducci, co-owner of Games Unlimited in Danville, Calif., when telling TDmonthly about best-selling items for tweens in fall 2008.
- “[Tweens] want to make something,” said Diana Gisolfi, co-owner of Sister’s Kids in Springfield, Mass.

This fluffy white horse comes with a special code kids can use to access Webkinz World online.
— Kathy Mabry, owner of The Village Toy Shop in North Easton, Mass., told TDmonthly that Webkinz continue to be a top seller for her store. She reported sales of hundreds every month in early fall 2008.
— “Ganz’s Webkinz — they're still selling well here,” said Linda Laramy, owner of Cracker Jacks in Easton, Md., when asked about best-selling items for tweens. “They’re still very popular.”
— Webkinz was on the top-10 best-seller list at Pun’s Toy Store in Bryn Mawr, Pa., in October 2008. “Although not the sellers they were before, they still present the greatest play value in our industry,” Owner Joe Berardoni, Sr., said.

The dorm-style beanbag is feather-light and filled with expanded polystyrene beads. It's covered in the hottest fashion trend colors and materials. Personalization is available. The beanbag offers "totally versatile kids' seating that looks good and is superbly comfortable," SVP Lonnie Scheps of Hudson Industries told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2008.

PakNaks are soft, rubbery 3-D decorations designed for kids (and adults!) to use to personalize backpacks, lunch bags, headbands, computer bags, household items and more. There are more than 40 available designs. Customized Velcro makes them interchangeable and weather resistant, and they quickly and easily adhere to surfaces. Robert measures 2.5” x 2.5”.
— “PakNaks are from a new little small company, and we’ve been selling them like hotcakes since Easter,” said Michelle Smith, owner of Piccolo Mondo Toys in Portland, Ore., in December 2008. “We were the first ones to launch them.”

This striped character comes with an Internet access code that gives kids the freedom to explore Webkinz World online with the virtual equivalent of the plush pet. The tiger’s special item in the virtual world is a rock ledge bed.
— “Webkinz are still selling,” Owner Randy Austin of The Gifted Child in Lenox, Mass., told TDmonthly in summer 2008.
— “We move probably 100 to 150 per month,” William Meredith, owner of Learning Express in Cary, N.C., told TDmonthly in August 2008.
— Twenty percent of 64 retailers named Webkinz as their top-selling collectible toy in summer 2008.
Six of 63 retailers named Webkinz as their overall best seller in September 2008.